American Evolution
The woman who sued Trump and other tales from America’s factory floor
Dream of an all-American bicycle takes shape while a toymaker struggles to survive amid Trump’s big manufacturing push.
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Mr Brian Riley hopes his company, Guardian Bikes, will be able to manufacture children’s bicycles entirely from scratch in the US.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF BRIAN RILEY
- Guardian Bikes, with US$100 million revenue, aims for 75% US-made by next year, after owner saw supply chain issues during Covid-19.
- Toy company hand2mind is suing Trump over tariffs, fearing a US$100 million tariff bill, stating it cannot rely on US factories for all its orders.
- US$500 billion Stargate AI project in Abilene is creating jobs for people like electrician Sergio Juarez, but the US still lags behind China in manufacturing.
AI generated
AUSTIN, Texas – Mr Brian Riley has confronted hard truths in his 15-year quest to become the sole manufacturer of children’s bicycles built entirely from scratch in the US.
The 38-year-old from Austin has seen for himself how decades of offshoring have hollowed out the country’s production capacity, making it difficult to build even a relatively simple product, such as a child’s bike, in the US.